(Image credit: David Harasti)

Distinctively shaped fish with a shield shaped body, pointed mouth and elongated dorsal fin. Colouration is also a distinguishing feature with black and white vertical bands across the body. A yellow area with faded edges is found in the centre of the body and towards the tail. A bright yellow to light orange marking crosses the tubular mouth. The elongated dorsal fin is white and decreases in relative length as the fish grows. Eyes are high on the face. In older fish lumps form above the eyes.

Length: Up to 24 cm

Habitat

Rock and coral reef with flats; 3-180 m depth

Log it

In New South Wales, log if spotted in Port Stephens and south

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Redmap species descriptions were based, with permission, on the following books:
Australian Marine Life: The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters by G. J. Edgar, Revised Ed. (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/